What is a Christian Mystic? “Mysticism” is a much abused word. The practice itself is likened to New Age spoon-bending and mind-reading on the one hand, or arrant superstition on the other. In the Christian tradition, however, mysticism is a direct, ecstatic, and noetic experience of God. Fr. Kerry offers us a brief overview of these three characteristics, and distinguishes between apophatic and cataphatic mysticism. Last Fr. Kerry provides some advice on how to view reports of Christian mystical experiences.

During this time of the year I always wonder what kinds of gifts Master would like for his birthday. Here I share my three best Christmas gift ideas for Jesus to help us disciples honor the Lord on his special day. Each gift relies on the power of the Holy Spirit to unite and heal us (God willing).

Oneness is the meaning of Thomas 22. Here, Christ urges the seeker to “make the two one” and prepare to enter the kingdom of God.

Oddly, this logion (saying of Christ) is the only one that Thomas the apostle, or perhaps Jesus himself, chose to present as a yogic meditation. This commentary examines the meaning of Thomas 22, and provides a mind-body approach to the practical oneness meditation.

I wish to invite willing readers to explore a radical new prayer idea. Scrap all of your self-imposed limitations on what you think God will or won’t do for you. From this day forth I ask you to forget about what seems “possible,” or “reasonable,” and let God give you everything that your dreams never dreamed of.

Let’s cut to the truth. If God is a father and son, where on earth is Mother? Why, she’s right here inside us. In the same way that Father and Brother are with us, the Holy Spirit is always present, always loving us, always helping us get along. Due to the emails people send, it’s safe to say that most readers are well acquainted with the masculine aspects of God. Since 2015, however, more and more folks have asked for help in understanding the Holy Spirit.

I would die just to know you
not for the things you do
not for the many gifts you send
neither the food on my plate
nor the splendor you create,
all of these things you do for me
to taste, to touch, to feel and see
I would give up and gladly
die just to know you.

Be you a Christian, Jewish, atheist or otherwise, you are not a goat. It is rather unlikely that you might one day change into a goat. Or a sheep, for that matter. No, you are a human being—a “son of man” in Christ’s day—and valuable to God. That’s what St. Matthew believed, the Jewish author of The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. So let the fire and brimstone image go because your Father loves you. Those plagued by self inflicted goat trauma can breathe easier with a few short words from the shepherd to his flock:

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good
—except God alone.Luke 18:19

Yeshua says: “I-Am the Light above them all, I-Am the All. All came forth from me, and all attained to me again. Cleave wood, I myself am there; lift up the stone and there you shall find me.”Gospel of Thomas 77

Gospel of Thomas (the Apostle) 30 — 60 CE. Gospel of Philip (the Evangelist, found in Book of Acts) post-70 CE. Gospel of Truth by St. Valentinus, 150 — 200 CE. Included are Dr. Brown’s scholarly research, annotations, and commentary. Brown’s work was published online at metalog.org until 2012.

Yeshua says: Blest is he who was before he came into being. If you become disciples to me and heed my sayings, these stones shall be made to serve you. For you have five trees in Paradise, which in summer are unmoved and in winter their leaves do not fall—whoever shall know them shall not taste death.

Thomas 19 reveals five of the keys to the kingdom. Each “tree” is a holistic aspect of the godhead. So, and without wishing to cause a fuss, it can be said that the Five Trees logion, which predates the Holy Trinity, may in fact be its fulfillment. Despite a lack of scholarly commentary, one point shines above the rest. The meaning of Thomas 19, what I term the Quintinity, wields the power to draw us much closer to God, ourselves, and our place in paradise.

The Beatitudes meaning and structure relies upon extraordinary geometry that may provide seekers and students with additional insight. Matthew’s Beatitudes and Luke’s Sermon on the Plain contain some of the most beautiful passages in the New Testament. When we diagram the pattern of Yeshua’s words and phrases, however, the Beatitudes reveal even more information. We are blessed with a glimpse of the pure genius of Christ and the mind of the Son of God.